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Hurricane updates with a social media component? There's an app for that.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 08/05/2012 - 5:32pm

Ahead of what's called "the busy season" of severe Atlantic coast weather, The American Red Cross released a new app for iPhone and Android users that gives real-time alerts and allows you to stay connected with loved ones within harm's way.

"Building on the Red Cross' leadership in the social media space, the app also includes a number of features that allow people to monitor personalized weather alerts in locations where family and friends reside and share information with others in their social networks who might also need it," the organization wrote in a news release.

Why not? Though, to be honest, if I'm trying to stay connected with friends or family besieged by a tropical cyclone and they still have cell phone capability, I'll probably just call them. Or shoot them a text. But doesn't that seem a bit too impersonal for such an occasion?

Regardless, below you'll find the features as they appear in the Red Cross' announcement. Those of you who like to arm yourselves against calamity with every option available, check out an app store at a mobile device near you. Probably in your pocket. Or gripped in your right hand as you read this.

Features include:

· One touch "I'm safe" messaging that allows users to broadcast reassurance to family and friends via social media outlets that they are out of harm's way;

· Location-based NOAA weather alerts for the United States and its territories users can share on social networks;

· Remote monitoring of personalized weather alerts where family and friends reside

· Locations of open Red Cross shelters;

· Simple steps and checklists people can use to create a family emergency plan;

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